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Recent decades have seen widespread popular embrace of the idea that when a calendar month contains two full Moons, the second one is called a "Blue Moon." The unusual pattern of lunar phases in early 1999 — two full Moons each in January and March, and none at all in February — triggered a groundswell of public interest. Countless newspapers and radio and TV stations ran stories about Blue Moons.
In an article entitled Once in a Blue Moon, folklorist Philip Hiscock traced the calendrical meaning of the term "Blue Moon" to the Maine Farmers' Almanac for 1937. But a page from that almanac belies the second-full-Moon-in-a-month interpretation.
With help from Margaret Vaverek (Southwest Texas State University) and several other librarians, we obtained more than 40 editions of the Maine Farmers' Almanac from the period 1819 to 1962. These refer to more than a dozen Blue Moons, and not one of them is the second full Moon in a month. What's going on here?
How Often Do Blue Moons Happen?
Several clues point to a strong connection between the almanac's Blue Moons and the four seasons of the year. All of the listed Blue Moons fall on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, or 23rd day of November, May, February, or August. These blue moon dates fall about a month before the Northern Hemisphere winter and summer solstices, and spring and fall equinoxes, respectively, which occur on similar day numbers.
Although the idea of a seasonal pattern suggested itself to us immediately, verifying the details required a lot of detective work. We found that the Blue-Moon definition employed in the Maine Farmers' Almanac is indeed based on the seasons, but with some subtle twists.
Instead of the calendar year running from January 1st through December 31st, the almanac relies on the tropical year, defined as extending from one winter solstice ("Yule") to the next. Most tropical years contain 12 full Moons — three each in winter, spring, summer, and fall — and each is named for an activity appropriate to the time of year (such as the Harvest Moon in autumn). But occasionally a tropical year contains 13 full Moons, such that one season has four rather than the usual three.
Today we usually mark the beginning of the seasons when the Sun's celestial longitude passes 0° (spring), 90° (summer), 180° (autumn), and 270° (winter). The Sun appears to move along the ecliptic at a variable rate because of the Earth's not-quite-circular orbit, so the seasons defined this way are not equal in duration. Another approach uses the dynamical mean Sun or fictitious mean Sun — imaginary bodies that move along the ecliptic and the celestial equator, respectively, at a constant rate and produces seasons of equal length. The Maine almanac defines the seasons using this alternative method.
The almanac also follows certain rules laid down as part of the Gregorian calendar reform in 1582. The ecclesiastical vernal (spring) equinox always falls on March 21st, regardless of the position of the Sun. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter, and must contain the Lenten Moon, considered to be the last full Moon of winter. The first full Moon of spring is called the Egg Moon (or Easter Moon, or Paschal Moon) and must fall within the week before Easter.
At last we have the "Maine rule" for Blue Moons: Seasonal Moon names are assigned near the spring equinox in accordance with the ecclesiastical rules for determining the dates of Easter and Lent. The beginnings of summer, fall, and winter are determined by the dynamical mean Sun. When a season contains four full Moons, the third is called a Blue Moon.
Why is the third full Moon identified as the extra one in a season with four? Because only then will the names of the other full Moons, such as the Moon Before Yule and the Moon After Yule, fall at the proper times relative to the solstices and equinoxes.
What Is A Blue Moon: Questions and Answers
During the period 1932 to 1957, under the editorship of Henry Porter Trefethen (1887-1957), the Maine Farmers' Almanac consistently listed Blue Moons derived from the convoluted seasonal rule just described. So where did the modern convention — that a Blue Moon is the second full Moon in a calendar month — come from? Sky & Telescope has, and is, the answer!
Laurence J. Lafleur (1907-66) of Antioch College, Ohio, discussed Blue Moons in a question-and-answer column in Sky & Telescope, July 1943, page 17, citing the 1937 Maine Farmers' Almanac as his source. It is clear that Lafleur had a copy of the almanac at his side as he wrote, since he quoted word for word the commentary on the August 1937 calendar page. This commentary notes that the Moon occasionally "comes full thirteen times in a year," but Lafleur did not judge whether this referred to a tropical year or a calendar year. More important, he did not mention the specific dates of any Blue Moons and never said anything about two full Moons in one calendar month.
Some three years later, in March 1946, an article entitled "Once in a Blue Moon" appeared in Sky & Telescope (page 3). Its author, James Hugh Pruett (1886-1955), was an amateur astronomer living in Eugene, Oregon, and a frequent contributor to S&T. Pruett wrote on a variety of topics, especially fireball meteors. In his article on Blue Moons, he mentioned the 1937 Maine almanac and repeated some of Lafleur's earlier comments. Then, unfortunately, he went on to say, "Seven times in 19 years there were — and still are — 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon."
Pruett must not have had the 1937 almanac handy, or he would have noticed that the Blue Moon fell on August 21st (obviously not the second full Moon that month) and that 1937 had only 12 full Moons. But only in retrospect is his error so obvious.
Modern Folklore
Sky & Telescope adopted Pruett's new definition, using it in a note entitled "'Blue' Moons in May" on page 176 of the May 1950 issue. In a bizarre twist, the data on lunar phases for this note came from none other than H. Porter Trefethen of Winthrop, Maine, editor of the very almanac Pruett misread four years earlier! But Trefethen himself never called the second full Moon in a month a Blue Moon. The "'Blue' Moons" headline was likely added by Sky & Telescope's founding editor, Charles A. Federer Jr. Federer agreed that he probably wrote that headline with Pruett's then-recent article in mind and without consulting Trefethen.
As Hiscock explained in the March issue, widespread adoption of the second-full-Moon-in-a-month definition followed its use on the popular radio program StarDate on January 31, 1980. We examined this show's script, authored by Deborah Byrd, and found that it contains a footnote not read on the air that cites Pruett's 1946 article as the source for the information.
With two decades of popular usage behind it, the second-full-Moon-in-a-month (mis)interpretation is like a genie that can't be forced back into its bottle. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Rather than argue over whether to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium on January 1st in 2000 or 2001, those with the sunniest outlooks will celebrate twice. Why not treat Blue Moons the same way, marking both the second full Moon in a calendar month and the third full Moon in a season with four? Or watch the night sky for all kinds of astronomical events? "Even if the calendrical meaning is new," said Federer, "I don't see any harm in it. It's something fun to talk about, and it helps attract people to astronomy."
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Happy Anniversary Heart Personalised Wine Glass Charm - Elegance Style, featuring a Name up to 8 letters. Personalised Wine Glass Charms available in different colours. Lovely Personalised Happy Anniversary Heart Gift Idea.
NOT to be used as a Toy or by Children under the Age of 3, due to small parts being a choking hazard.
- The Personalised Wine Glass Charm can feature a Name, Word or Short Message, up to 8 letters.
- Spaces and Punctuation will be replaced with a small bead.
- There are lots of different bead colours to choose from, and you can have all the beads the same colour - or choose a two colour pattern.
- The Elegance Style, features Mini Silver Plated Beads and Beautiful Rhinestone Sparkle Spacers as part of the design.
- We have a large range of Bead colours in stock, but we also help with special requests. So please contact us if you can't find what you are looking for.
- The Charm and Hoop are made from mixed metals and are plated in a silver coloured metal.
- The round Letter Beads are double sided.
- The Personalised Wine Charm is reusable, just unhook at the back and pop on a different glass.
- Add a Personalised touch to your Wine Glasses!
- Personalised Wine Glass Charms are a great way to identify which glass belongs to who.
- Cheap in price, so they are perfect to buy in bulk and use as party favours.
- Personalised Keepsake Thank You Gift for the Guests to take home after a Special Event.
- We offer a large selection of Wine Glass Charms - in a huge range of themes, styles and colours.
- All our Elegance Style Personalised Wine Glass Charms are Handmade to order by Retro Wishes in the UK.
NOT to be used as a Toy or by Children under the Age of 3, due to small parts being a choking hazard.
- Condition: New
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers!
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subset: commoncrawl


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Gift Guide: For Chocoholics
No need to waste time in crowded malls this holiday season just to buy a desperate box of gaudy, foil-wrapped chocolate that will only end up in the re-gift pile. And while cooking is great, you don't have to knock yourself out in the kitchen, either. Sit back, relax, and browse the luscious chocolate gift options that we've rounded up for the chocoholic in your life.
Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows
If you have a Mallomar or chocolate covered-Peep addict on your hands, take their obsession to the next level with one of these chocolate enrobed marshmallow delights. Hand crafted by Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres, these bite sized marshmallows are made from scratch and coated in a luxurious house made dark chocolate.
$7.50 for 3.5 ounces at Jacques Torres Chocolate
Bulk Chocolate
For the serious chocolate baker whose pantry is an avalanche of variably sized chocolate bars and wrappers, an industrial hunk of chocolate is both an extravagant and practical gift. World Wide Chocolate is an online bulk chocolate store that offers fifty-four brands from around the world, including the heavyweights Callebaut, El Rey, Valrhona, Taza, and Scharffen Berger. This is definitely one of those gifts where you'll want to stock up on your own stash as well.
Assorted prices. $69.95 for the 11lb Callebaut block pictured above. At World Wide Chocolate.
Easy Pour Funnel
Anyone who works with chocolate knows that can be a messy situation. This tool from Wilton aims to keep the workstation tidier. Instead of using a spoon to fill chocolate molds (with errant drizzles galore), just aim the chocolate filled funnel over the mold and use the finger buttons to control the flow. Great for the budding chocolatier, or for whipping up chocolate nut clusters, and also ideal for creating perfectly round pancakes (chocolate pancakes of course).
I Heart Chocolate Apron
Protect your favorite chocoholic from wafts of cocoa powder and chocolate splatters (and keep them looking cute too) with this adorable apron. The khaki colored apron has three spacious pockets in the front to stuff full of tools and utensils.
$21.95 at Zazzle.
Chocolate of the Month Club
What better gift could a chocoholic want than the one that keeps on giving? Bestow a monthly fix of outrageous high end truffles to your favorite chocolate fiend with the Vosges Haut Chocolate Lunar Club. With exotic flavors such as Absinthe (Chinese star anise, fennel, absinthe), Naga (sweet Indian curry powder, coconut), and Olio d'Oliva (olive oil, white chocolate, green olives), you might end up sending the gift to yourself instead. You can choose your chocolate selection and the number of "moons" you'd like the chocolate to flow.
Starting at $138 at Vosges Haut Chocolat.
Chocolate Bitters
A thoughtful gift for the chocoholic/mixologist enthusiast, a dash of these aromatic chocolate bitters will add a robust and bold chocolate essence to their next concoction. Revitalize a Manhattan or Vodka martini with a shot of this potent chocolate elixir. Scrappy's Bitters are hand crafted in small batches, and use fresh, organic fruits and herbs; no oils, extracts, or dried produce. Available at a number of online stores via their website.
$17.95 for a 5 ounce bottle through Scrappy's Bitters.
Chocolate Liqueur
The great thing about Godiva chocolate liqueur is that it's so versatile. A perfect fit for the chocolate lover, and also elegant enough to tow along to any holiday party (how many boring bottles of wine do people need anyway?). The velvety texture and rich chocolate flavor makes for a decadent creamy liquid chocolate with a boozy kick. Also comes in a sublime white chocolate version.
$69 at Vingift.
Chocolate Soap Bar
This chocolate soap bar from Coco-Zen is made with organic oils, and both organic/Fair Trade cocoa butter and cocoa powder. The best part? This is one chocolate gift that you won't have to fret about melting before you get it to it's destination.
$5.00 at Coco-Zen.
Edge Brownie Pan
Satisfy everyone with a specially designed pan from Baker's Edge that gives each brownie a crisp-chewy edge and a moist, fudgy center. The s-shaped chamber also promotes even baking for not only brownies, but other thick, dense batters such as pound cake.
About the Author: Yvonne Ruperti is a food writer, recipe developer, former bakery owner, and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Easy Artisan Bread. You can also watch her culinary stylings on the America's Test Kitchen television show. She presently lives in Singapore as a freelance writer for Time Out Singapore. Check out her blog: shophousecook.com . Follow Yvonne on Twitter.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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VBR Rave: Valia Skincare
The super sweet peeps at Valia sent me this gorge box of skincare goodies, and I totes squealed like a wee lassie when it appeared at my door! I'm OBSESSED (←total understatement) with anti-aging beauty products, so I already knew these were gonna be a hit! Valia is an entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and all-natural skincare line that uses potent ingredients derived from deep-rooted Japanese remedies. Their packaging is beautiful, and their products are ace. Let's take a peek, shall we?
Purifying Wash, $34: This light cleanser contains herbal extracts and essential oils such as green tea, Vitamin C, and yuzu, which help encourage cell turnover for brighter and more radiant skin. Other rockstar ingredients include papain and aloe vera are, which are antioxidiant and phytochemical superheroes – key for radiant, glowing skin!
Cleansing Milk, $35: I ♥ cream cleansers, especially in the colder months. My skin gets so scaly and dry this time of year, so I'm about this cleansing milk. It not only cleans and moisturizes but it does a pretty good job at removing makeup, too. It contains aloe vera, pineapple, and coconut oil, which help gently remove impurities while leaving skin supple and soft (read: kissable). If you have eczema or acne-prone skin, you should totally be rockin' this! It reduces oil buildup and won't clog pores.
Yuzu Hydrating Creme, $47: This is a mega lightweight, fast-absorbing crème made from natural ingredients like aloe vera, sweet almond oil, and Hato Mugi/Job's Tears/Pearl Barley. It works on all skin types, and because it's so light, I love using it as a day cream (there's nothing worse than using thick, oily moisturizers right before applying makeup – slippery slidesville!).
Bloom, $48: This helllsa bomb anti-aging and fat metabolizing (←YES PLEASE) supplement is infused with herbal extracts like sea bucktorn, holy basil, reishi mushroom, and mangosteen. It also helps boost your immune system, which is important during these chilly-willy months! The omega 7-rich formula is key for healthy, beautiful skin, and xanthoids (rare in nature), gives Bloom its immune-boosting and cell-protecting properties. Straight from Valia's website: "Beneficial for people experiencing bloat after eating certain foods and for those looking to reduce belly fat, Bloom encourages better fat metabolization which helps people naturally control and combat weight." Hallelujah!! I hate feeling bloat-o after certain meals, and I DEF have some leftover belly jigglies from being preggers. I've been taking these supplements religiously – will keep y'all posted after I get my 12-pack back. 😉
Have y'all tried Valia yet? What's your go-to brand for facial cleansers and moisturizers?
About Sunny (Sunny's Profile)Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there's something in particular you'd like me to review, drop me a line at email@example.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Google +.
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Oh they all seem amazing! I always love natural skincare inspired by Japanese recipes, and the combination aroma of yuzu + green tea is simply irresistible! I just check out their website but too bad they don't ship to my country T____T
I think, the cleansing milk product is excellent for me. It can smooth-en my skin and I love the milk substance embracing my complexion with caress and care. Product made from natural ingredients are indeed safe and free from toxic chemicals. All Valia products are interesting and the price just worth every item.


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> A day after getting embarrassed by Ricky Nolasco and the Twins, the Brewers dropped their second straight game, losing to the Phillies 5-2. Zach Davies (0-2, 9.72 ERA) improved upon his atrocious season debut against the Pirates earlier this week, but it wasn't enough as Philadelphia's lineup teed off against him the second through the order.
The Brewers got on the board right away in the first inning on Chris Carter's RBI single. That appeared to be all Davies would need, as he cruised through the the first three innings without any trouble. However, in the fourth, Cameron Rupp hit a one-out double, and then Darin Ruf tied the game with an RBI single two batters later. The Phils continued to pour it on in the fifth inning: Odubel Herrera started the rally with a one-out single, and he was promptly driven in on a Freddy Galvis triple. Maikel Franco then put the nail in the coffin with a two-run shot to left field, extending the Phillies' lead to 4-1. They would tack on another in the seventh inning when Franco hit his second bomb of the game, this one coming off reliever Chris Capuano.
After their first inning run, the Brewers couldn't get anything going against Phillies starter Aaron Nola. He allowed just that run on four hits over seven innings. Nola walked two and struck out seven. Milwaukee did get one more run in the ninth inning thanks to Aaron Hill's RBI double off reliever Jeanmar Gomez but couldn't sustain the rally.
Davies wasn't terrible on this night; his performance was better than the average Taylor Jungmann or Wily Peralta start so far this season. However, the Phillies evidently caught onto him the second time around. Davies went six innings while giving up four runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out five in his second loss of the season.
> A lot has happened since I last wrote in July of 2013 (which was, ironically, the day Ryan Braun received his 65-game suspension). There's far too much between then and now for me to detail, but here's a quick recap of the major events that have taken place.
> The Brewers finished 2013 a dismal 74-88. That was to be expected as Braun was banished from the field for a better part of the second half of the season, and beyond him there wasn't much offense. However, it was during 2013 that Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy began their respective rises to stardom; Jean Segura also had his lone All-Star appearance in a Brewers uniform.
> Towards the end of the 2013-14 offseason, the Brewers hadn't done much of anything, and appeared to be headed for another down year. However, shortly before the 2014 season, they stunned the baseball world and signed Matt Garza to a four-year, $52 million deal, the largest free agent signing in franchise history. All of a sudden, Milwaukee didn't look half bad on paper, and that translated to the field, at least for most of the season. The expected 3-4 combo of Braun and Aramis Ramirez actually didn't contribute as much as expected, but Gomez and Lucroy led the way and helped the Brewers remain in first place in the National League Central for a majority of the year. Peralta also had a career year, going 17-11 with a 3.53 ERA and establishing himself as the new ace of the rotation. However, what appeared to be a sure playoff berth descended into one of the most disappointing finishes in recent history. What could have been a decent season for Garza got cut short with an injury, the rest of the rotation struggled to find consistency, the bats went cold, and the bullpen– which had been spectacular for most of the year thanks to finds such as lefties Zach Duke and Will Smith– fell off a cliff in the season's final months. All of this led to a 3-16 stretch between Aug. 20 and Sept. 9 that completely killed the team's chances at making the postseason. A resurgent Mike Fiers, who returned to his dominant form from mid-2012, was the only bright spot the team had down the stretch. The Brewers finished 82-80– even worse than in 2012 when they went 83-79 despite one of the worst bullpens they've had in recent history– good for third place behind the Cardinals and Pirates.
> The promise heading into 2015 was that the Brewers had put their awful finish in 2014 behind them and were ready to contend again. They couldn't have been more wrong. Milwaukee started 2-10, tying their worst start in franchise history. Things didn't get much better, and when they were 7-18, Doug Melvin finally pulled the plug on manager Ron Roenicke, a move that felt long overdue. He brought in former fan favorite Craig Counsell, who had been working in the Brewers' front office since his retirement after 2011, as the interim manager.
The Brewers were nowhere near contention come summer, and with a few impending free agents, moves had to be made. Melvin started the fire sale by trading Ramirez to Pittsburgh– the team that originally signed him as an amateur free agent back in 1994– in exchange for Double-A reliever Yhonathan Barrios. A shortstop-turned-pitcher, Barrios can reach triple digits, and he impressed the Brewers when rosters expanded last September. He likely would have made the team out of spring training this year, but an injury has derailed him for the time being.
The next trade was no doubt the biggest and showed fans that the Brewers are truly trying to turn over their minor league system. Melvin sent Gomez and Fiers to the Astros for a package of four prospects: outfielders Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana, left-handed starter Josh Hader, and right-hander Adrian Houser. Phillips, Santana, and Hader were all in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects at the time; Phillips and Hader still are, while Santana is proving a mainstay at the major league level in 2016.
The Brewers also scammed the Orioles out of one of their top prospects. In dire need of an outfielder, Baltimore sent the Brewers their #3 prospect, the right-handed starter Davies, in exchange for Gerardo Parra. Don't get me wrong: Parra was hitting around .330 at the time and appeared to be a good acquisition on paper for the Orioles. However, the ended up only getting him for half a season, as he signed a free agent deal with the Rockies this past offseason. Basically, the O's traded Davies– one of their best prospects– for a short-term outfielder who didn't even help them make the postseason.
Milwaukee made another small trade before the deadline last season, trading Jonathan Broxton to the Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Malik Collymore, who is still in Rookie ball. But the fact that the Brewers got anything of value in return for Broxton is a success in my book.
Fast-forward to the end of 2016: the Brewers finished 68-94, their worst record since 2004, when they went 67-94. However, they at least got what they could have out of a terrible season on the field by completely re-stocking their minor league system, which had been considered among the worst in baseball since they went all in back in 2011. Melvin also announced near the end of the season that he would be stepping down as general manager; this allowed the Brewers to hire the young David Stearns, formerly the assistant GM for Houston.
Stearns completely turned over the Brewers' roster prior to the 2016 season. He brought in players he was familiar with, such as first baseman Carter and shortstop Jonathan Villar, from his days with the Astros. He also made a blockbuster deal with the Diamondbacks, sending Segura and top pitching prospect Tyler Wagner to the desert in exchange for right-handed starter Chase Anderson, second baseman Hill, and minor league shortstop Isan Diaz.
At just 30 years of age, Stearns is very young to be a general manager, but he's already served as assistant GM for both the Indians and Astros, so he has experience. He's also had the opportunity to watch the Astros go from nothing to a contender in just a few years by efficiently building up their farm system through the draft and trades, and he seems to be using the same process with the Brewers. Who knows what 2016 will bring, but, whether it be good or bad, I feel much more comfortable with Stearns at the helm than I ever did with Melvin.
> I guess this turned into a pretty long-winded article after all, which I hoped to avoid in my first post returning, but I might as well finish it. I thought I was deserting BWI for good after I could no longer find time to write it; my last post on here would have been the summer before my junior year of high school, and now I'm finishing up my freshman year of college. To be honest, though, I've had the itch to bring it back ever since I quit: in 2014, I started writing an article about how the second Wild Card was ruining baseball and making non-contenders think that they were contenders; I used the Royals as my prime example (the irony is still killing me). However, I never finished that article, which was probably for the best. Then, around the Trade Deadline in 2015, I started writing one about the speculation of why the original Gomez trade, in which the Brewers would have acquired Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores from the Mets, never happened. Both of those articles are still sitting in the drafts of this website, and I'll probably never publish them, but they're proof that I've wanted to come back all this time.
If I want to keep it up, I'll have to balance it with schoolwork and my job, among other things, but I think I can do that. I go to a small liberal arts school in southern Wisconsin, where I'm majoring in Business Economics with a minor in Journalism. I chose the school primarily because it gave me the best scholarship, but also because of an interesting job opportunity in the area with a minor league baseball team. I've been doing stat-stringing– essentially relaying the play-by-play as it happens to Minor League Baseball, which allows them to post it to their website– as well as writing game recaps and other articles for the team (so it isn't like I haven't written a sports article in three years).
I intend to keep using this blog as a means of practice for (hopeful) future jobs in journalism, but developing a fan base/network using BWI would be cool as well. I've done that with this site in the past, though my Twitter account definitely helped out with that. However, ever since I left Reviewing the Brew, I haven't used my Twitter account much at all, and at this point I'd say I'm probably never going to actively use it again. In any case, if you happen to be scrolling through, feel free to drop a comment or something. I'm looking forward to getting back to this.


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Noah Galloway on May 7 was strapped into the passenger seat of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Dodge Charger, just like the one Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski drove to victory lane the day before at Talladega Superspeedway. Sitting to Galloway's left was Keselowski. They were about to take a few laps at race speed on Talladega's high banks. All of Keselowski's passengers had been instructed to clap their hands and say their names, to help with the editing of the in-car video that they'd get a copy of.
"Clap your hands and say your name loud, and we'll get going!" Keselowski said.
A brief pause. "I, uh, only have one hand," Galloway said. Immediately, a crewman and Keselowski both held a hand up for Galloway to clap, and they were off for a 180-mph ride.
Galloway, an Army sergeant, was in Iraq on his second tour of duty in 2005. In the southern part of Baghdad, his Humvee ran over a trip wire, and an explosive device sent the Humvee into a canal, on its side, with Galloway unconscious. He lost his left arm and his left leg.
But on this weekend, Galloway and a half-dozen other wounded warriors not only got a ride around Talladega with Keselowski or Dodge teammate Parker Kligerman, they were at the track for the race, hosted like VIPs. "Instead of celebrating and having fun, he's back here on Monday to be with us," Galloway said. "It's hard to express how much we appreciate that."
Families were included, and those getting the ride around the track included one other person each wounded vet selected.
Race 2 Recovery is funded by Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation, which he started in 2010. It is dedicated largely to helping former military members in need. The program carries two Penske Dodges, outfitted with the latest speed and safety equipment, to give rides to wounded warriors selected by area Veterans Affairs offices. There are donors, and Penske Racing supplied the cars, but a lot of the funding comes out of Keselowski's pocket.
Besides Talladega, the Race 2 Recovery program hosts veterans for three-day programs at Michigan, Charlotte, Richmond and, in August, at Bristol Motor Speedway.
In some small part, the foundation's focus is the result of a life-changing moment Keselowski had several years ago. A longtime friend had entered the military and was injured when his Humvee was blown up. He was the only survivor. Keselowski's friend had come home, but soon disappeared.
"Then one day I was on a tour that NASCAR set up of military hospitals," Keselowski said. "We were visiting Walter Reed [Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.], going room to room, and sure as hell, there he was."
Survivor's guilt and his own physical injuries had overcome him. He wouldn't talk; he just sat looking at the wall.
"That was a crisp and clear moment for me," Keselowski said. "This was someone my age, who I'd known for years. It really put things into perspective."
At that point, it was easy for the now 28-year-old Keselowski to figure out the next step. "I don't golf. I don't bowl. I drive race cars. And this just felt right."
It also felt right to Jeffrey Adams, who was a lieutenant with the Louisiana Nation-al Guard. He was checking debris on a road outside of Baghdad in 2004 when a device exploded. "I looked down," he said, "and my leg was gone."
A huge racing fan, Adams was contacted a couple of weeks prior to the drive about Race 2 Recovery. One of his favorite aspects of the program was that his wife was included. "A lot of times, it's all about us," he said, "because we're the easy ones to identify. But the real heroes are the spouses and family members and caregivers who help us come back. And the fact that Brad and the foundation included them really shows us that they get it."
Visit www.checkeredflagfoundation.org for more information about the program.


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Title: The Visitor
Author: K.L. Slater
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 2, 2018
Page Count: 350
My rating: 4 stars
About the book:
Everyone has a secret in their past.
Everyone pretends to be something they're not.
But someone is always watching… and that someone is closer than you think.
Holly returns to her home town after some time away – she has been through something terrible and now she needs a safe haven in which to recover, and to plan the rest of her life. She finds a room in a quiet and leafy suburban street, in the home of Cora Barrett.
David lives next door to Cora Barrett and he sees everything that happens on Baker Crescent. David stays at home, and he watches: he likes to feel safe and he doesn't like to leave the house. He wants to keep his friends and neighbours safe too. So he observes them, and he records every tiny detail of their lives, just in case the information is ever needed.
Both lonely and vulnerable, Holly and David gradually begin to strike up a friendship. But Holly can't shake the feeling that someone from her past might have tracked her down. And David is always watching… But uncovering the secret that could save his new friend and neighbour could be the one thing that destroys him.
The Visitor by K.L. Slater is a psychological thriller that once I began reading I found very hard to put down. Having read several other books by this author I was not at all surprised to find once again wonderful writing that pulled me right into the story.
The story starts off with introducing David who is a bit of a loner with a lot of issues still living with his mother at forty. Usually keeping himself shut away other than to go to his job at a local department store as a parking attendant David often thinks of himself as the keeper of his neighborhood spying from his bedroom window.
When David sees an unfamiliar woman wandering around the home next door belonging to his elderly neighbor he immediately becomes curious knowing Cora doesn't have any grown children. Soon it becomes apparent that Cora has taken in a border in Holly who is running from her own secretive past.
The book is one that reads at a rather fast pace while changing the point of view mostly between Holly and David. You just know while going along that there are going to be plenty of secrets to come which of course keeps the pages turning quickly. As it goes along there are glimpses into the past to get to know the characters better but this flowed very easily with the current events.
Being one that reads a lot of thrillers I had my suspicions as usual as to the outcome of the story as I went along. I'm happy to say though while I guessed a detail or two the ending was one that came with quite a bit of excitement and of course an extra little twist or two to wrap it all up quite nicely. Definitely still a fan of K.L. Slater and will look forward to what she publishes next.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Find this book online:
Goodreads / Amazon
About the author:
Kim is the bestselling author of psychological crime thrillers 'Safe With Me,' 'Blink,' 'Liar' and 'The Mistake.' Her latest thriller, 'The Visitor', is published 2nd March 2018 and available for pre-order now!
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected quite a stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.
Before graduating in 2012, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents and a book deal which was, as Kim says, 'a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!'
Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham, England with her husband, Mac.
She also writes award-winning Young Adult fiction for Macmillan Children's Books, writing as Kim Slater.
Author website: http://www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Categories: Uncategorized


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Beagle 2: lessons learned and the way forward
ESA PR 27-2004. The Commission of Inquiry on Beagle 2, jointly set up in February between ESA and the British National Space Centre (BNSC), has recently concluded its investigations.
A joint ESA/BNSC press conference in London on Monday 24 May will be the platform to expand on the lessons learned from the recommendations issued by the Commission of Inquiry and the action plan adopted to implement such recommendations.
The Mars Express spacecraft, carrying the Beagle 2 lander, was launched on 2 June last year, arriving in the vicinity of Mars in December. The separation of Beagle 2 from Mars Express took place flawlessly on 19 December. The satellite continued its mission with its successful insertion into a Mars orbit on 25 December, the day on which Beagle 2 was due to land.
The first radio contact with Beagle 2 was expected shortly after the scheduled landing time but no signal was received. Many radio contacts were attempted over the following days and weeks, but without result. By early February it became clear that there was no prospect of communicating with Beagle 2 and a joint ESA/UK inquiry was set up to investigate the circumstances and possible reasons that prevented completion of the Beagle 2 mission.
The Commission of Inquiry, including senior managers and experts from Europe and also from NASA and Russia held several meetings in the UK and at ESA, interviewed the key players -directors, managers, scientists, and engineers - involved in the development of Beagle 2, and has submitted its findings, assessments and recommendations.
The report was submitted to the UK Minister for Science and Innovation and the Director General of ESA on 21 April and accepted. No single technical failure or shortcoming was unambiguously identified but a few credible causes for Beagle 2 loss were highlighted. More importantly, the Board made it clear that there were programmatic and organisational reasons that significantly increased the risk of Beagle 2 failure.
The outcome of the review carried out by the Commission of Inquiry is summarized in 19 recommendations to the British Authorities and ESA. These constitute the basis of lessons learned for the future. Both parties have accepted them fully. ESA will undertake a course of action to ensure their implementation.
On Monday 24 May, BNSC invites media representatives to attend a press conference at:
The Department of Trade and Industry
Conference Centre
1 Victoria Street
08.45 – Registration
0930 – Press Conference
The press conference will include:
Lord Sainsbury, UK Science Minister
Professor David Southwood, ESA Director of Space Science
David Leadbeater, Deputy Director General BNSC
Professor Colin Pillinger, Head of Planetary Sciences Research Institute, Open University
For registration, please contact:
Katie Bristowe, BNSC, on 020 7215 0807, or e-mail: email@example.com
For further information:
Steve Warren, Head of Information,
Tel: +44 (0) 207 215 0806/0905
Fax: +44 (0) 207 215 0936
Franco Bonacina, Head of Media Relations Division
Tel. +33(0)1 53 69 7155
Fax. +33(0)1 53 69 7690


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the sims 3 is out. don't get all siddity and act as though you don't bang with the sims because EVERYBODY bangs with the sims...
go check it out when no one is watching.
sidenote...those graphics are out of this world son!!!
Posted by kimmie e at 2:00 AM
Labels: guilty pleasure, the sims


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They're masters of the rock power ballad, and their songs like Still Loving You, Send Me An Angel and most notably Wind Of Change were worldwide hits. The Scorpions' album Love At First Sting (1984) even went triple platinum in the USA.
The band came together in Sarstedt (near Hannover) in 1965 and spent many years working their way up and playing any number of concerts. Their first album wasn't released until 1972 but then came live successes in the UK, Japan and the USA. The creative trio – Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine and Matthias Jabs – who have made Scorpions a world brand have been together since 1979. In 1990 their rock ballad Wind Of Change became the musical symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall and sold over 10 million copies. Since 1999 Scorpions have been working with other artists including the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2010 the band began a three-year farewell tour of five continents – 45 years after forming.
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A&M hosts early screening of `Game of Thrones'
Fans who can't wait till March 31 for the season 3 premiere of HBO's "Game of Thrones" can see it nine days earlier in Aggieland.
Texas A&M University has announced it will host an advance screening in Rudder Auditorium at 7:45 p.m. on March 22 in conjunction with writer George R.R. Martin's sold-out appearance at the school.
As Andrew Dansby reported back in December, Martin, the wildly successful author of the epic high fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire," will make an appearance and sign books from 4-6 p.m. on March 22 at Cushing Memorial Library, followed by a lecture and question-and-answer session at Rudder. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m.
Martin's series is the source material for HBO's popular series, which is named for the first of the "Ice and Fire" books.
Martin's visit is tied to the library's Deeper Than Swords exhibit, which opens March 22 and runs through the end of 2013. The exhibit will include books, manuscripts and other objects from Martin's long, winding career in science fiction and fantasy. The 64-year-old New Jersey native began writing science fiction stories in 1970. The fifth volume in his "Ice and Fire" series, "A Dance With Dragons," was published earlier this year.


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Subcommittee on National Parks: To Receive Testimony on Current Legislation (SD-366)
May 15, 2007
SD-366 Energy Committee Hearing Room
The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 553, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; S. 800, to establish the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in the State of New York; S. 916, to modify the boundary of the Minidoka Internment National Monument, to establish the Minidoka National Historic Site, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and improvements of the Gooding Division of the Minidoka Project, Idaho; S. 1057, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the New River in the States of North Carolina and Virginia as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; S.1209, to provide for the continued administration of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and policies of the National Park Service; S.1281, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain rivers and streams of the headwaters of the Snake River System as additions to the National Wild and Scenic River System; H.R. 161, to adjust the boundary of the Minidoka Internment National Monument to include the Nidoto Nai Yoni Memorial in Bainbridge Island, Washington; H.R. 247, to designate a Forest Service trail at Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives; and H.R. 376, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including the battlefields and related sites of the First and Second Battles of Newtonia, Missouri, during the Civil War as part of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield or designating the battlefields and related sites as a separate unit of the National Park System.
Archived Webcast
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Witness Panel 2
Daniel WenkDeputy DirectorNational Park Service, Department of the Interior
Joel HoltropDeputy ChiefNational Forest Service
Witness Panel 3
Tom IkedaExecutive DirectorDensho: The Japanese American Legacy Project
George SantucciExecutive DirectorNational Committee for the New River
Dr. Timothy Vail
Jack DennisHonorary ChairmanCampaign for the Snake Headwaters


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Charlie Patton, considered the "Father of the Delta Blues," is generally recognized as the most influential blues artist active in the first decades of the twentieth century. No single individual can be credited with "inventing" the Delta blues style but Patton was one of the first mainstream stars of the Delta blues genre. Old fashioned and modern at the same time, Patton's music bridged the musical traditions of the 19th century while simultaneously creating a framework of his own that would inspire just about every other blues musician from that point on.
In this double DVD lesson, Tom Feldmann gives you a detailed look at 18 of Patton's most celebrated tunes. Making this the definitive Charlie Patton lesson. DVD One is dedicated to songs in standard tuning, covering C, E, A and F positions. You'll learn Patton's relaxed right hand strum, top tapping technique, and of course his signature licks as you work through songs like, Down The Dirt Road Blues and Pony Blues.
DVD Two focuses in Patton's bottleneck slide and non slide numbers in Spanish (Open G) and Vestapol (Open D) turnings. Songs like, Banty Rooster Blues, When Your Way Get's Dark and Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues will become heavy hitters in your blues arsenal.
A detailed tab/music booklet is included as a PDF file on both DVD's. In addition the original recordings of all the tunes are included.
Titles include: Poor Me, Down the Dirt Road Blues, Green River Blues, Jim Lee Blues, Some of These Days I'll Be Gone, Pony Blues, Devil Sent the Rain, Shake It and Break, Tom Rushen Blues, High Sheriff Blues, Hammer Blues (Take 1 & 2), Banty Rooster Blues, Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues, When Your Way Get's Dark, Pea Vine Blues, Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues, High Water Everywhere (Take 1 & 2), A Spoonful Blues
253 minutes • Level 3 • Detailed tab/music PDF file on the DVD
Review: Warning: Do not misinterpret the bow tie worn in his ancient portrait. Beneath, the grand master flash of all Delta blues-bedrock Charlie Patton was a "rock star" decades before rock became a devilish glimmer in the blues' eyes. When your prototypical playing style and whiskey-n-women lifestyle recruit a Mississippi dream team of apostles in Son House, Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf and quintessential crossroad "friend Willie Brown," you are the man. Singing, you can hear gravel being ground in his throat (don't miss the bonus audio with Patton's records). Combine that with how he struck a guitar, and you make dynamite. Up to then, the 1920s never experienced anything like that: whacking the instrument's body for even extra rhythm, as its strings got violently snapped or deeply stabbed by a slide on its way down to the 17th fret. Patton was even Hendrix before Hendrix, hot-dogging plantation gigs by flipping his axe into the air, playing behind his back, then between his legs. You're on your own for the circus acrobatics, but country blues authority Tom Feldmann has got you covered for all the rest. It takes two DVDs, in fact, for him to break down, step-by-step, Patton's method, licks, tricks and 18 classics. Feldmann is a revelator bare-handing the beautifully aching "Some Of These Days I'll Be Gone," then bottlenecking the monster cotton patch smashes "Screamin' & Hollerin' the Blues" and "Pony Blues." Back in the day, you'd have to sell your soul at the crossroads for four hours of detailed how-to instruction like this. – Blues Rag/Dennis Rozanski


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MONTICELLO — Three people were injured in a collision Sunday evening on Route 1, according to a news release from the Maine State Police.
Police say Josiah Nash, 27, of Blaine, was traveling south on Route 1 in a 1965 Volkswagon dune buggy about 6:30 p.m. when he was struck by Barbara Watson, 71, of Monticello, who was making a left turn from the northbound lane onto Silver Street.
Nash and his 29-year-old passenger, Adam Grant of Bridgewater, were ejected from the Volkswagen, police said. All three were injured and brought to Houlton Regional Hospital for treatment.
Grant and Nash subsequently were transferred Sunday evening to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor in stable condition, Cynthia Thompson, Houlton Regional Hospital spokeswoman, said Monday.
On Monday, Nash was listed in fair condition at EMMC, according to Andy Saucier, hospital senior communications specialist. No information was available on Grant.
Both the Volkswagen and Watson's 2002 Ford Taurus were heavily damaged. The crash is under investigation.
State Trooper Jillian Monahan investigated the crash and was assisted at the scene by Maine State Police, the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Border Patrol and the Monticello Fire Department.
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Community briefs Sept. 19
Community briefs Sept. 18
Leeds Historical Society leads fall walks
The Rangeley Highlander
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down
U.S. says it is banning use of TikTok, WeChat for national security


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A United Nations official has called for the development of national urban policies to ensure developing countries are not overwhelmed by urbanization, which he compared to a tsunami for its staggering growth which can surpass cities' capacities to manage it.
"What we are seeing now is a huge process of urbanization in the south which goes hand in hand with development. You cannot have one without the other. The problem is that the institutional architecture cannot keep pace with urbanization," said the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Joan Clos at the opening of the 6th World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy.
"If there is no proper anticipation urbanization becomes a mess and if you try to correct the problem afterwards it costs a lot to fix. Countries are overwhelmed by urbanization. It's like a tsunami. Urbanization goes faster than the capacity to manage it," Mr. Clos said. "We need to re-design our cities to face these challenges."
Mr. Clos stressed the importance of urban planning at national, state, and local levels to avoid informal settlements and slums, as well as high concentrations of people in mega capitals.
He stated that planning policies would help countries provide their citizens with jobs and prosperity while still tackling environmental challenges.
The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing problems facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.
Organized jointly by UN-Habitat, the Government of Italy, the Campania Region and the city of Naples, the theme for this year's meeting, which will be attended by more than 3,000 participants, is The Urban Future.
Additional links:
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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A physical education credential enables you to teach elementary, middle school and high school physical education. The credential has two major parts - content and pedagogy (or physical education & teaching). In order to demonstrate subject matter competency you must complete prescribed courses in your field. You can typically do this by completing a degree with an emphasis in Physical Education from an approved and accredited California institution of higher education.
Alternatively if you have a degree in a related area of Kinesiology (Exercise Science, Fitness, etc.,) you can have your transcripts reviewed to determine which courses you would need to take to meet the subject matter competency (typically these are pedagogy/education related courses).
Finally you can pass all parts of the CSET Physical Education examination (Passing all parts of the CSET is not required to enter the credential program. However you must pass all parts of the CSET - Physical Education (single subject) in order to enroll in EDSS 450P which is a pre-requisite for student teaching.
California schools often teach a variety of activities so the credential requires you to demonstrate breadth and depth in the content area. As you look at the list of required courses, you will see that you are required to complete lower division activity courses and upper division content courses. For the CSET examination, the content assessed basically replicates the coursework content of a typically Physical Education Teacher Education undergraduate program. Information related to the CSET examination process can be found at the bottom of the FAQ page of this web site.
The professional education courses will help you learn how to teach. In these courses you will learn about methodology and classroom management in the physical education setting. You will also learn about today's schools and how you can most effectively impact the diversity of students you will find there.
See the bulletin board outside HHS2 - rooms 207, 214, 218 for further information about the program, job opportunities, upcoming events and deadlines.For answers to questions regarding the Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential Programs in Physical Education, contact Emyr Williams, Ph.D.
Physical Education Credential Web site (link)
Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential link to learn more about APE program
(code 490)
This program is designed for students interested in the administration and implementation of physical activity programs for persons with disabilities. Completion of this credential authorizes the California Adapted Physical Education Specialist Teaching Credential.
1. Bachelor's degree with a teaching major in Kinesiology;
2. Must be obtained concurrently or after completion of the Single Subject Physical Education Teaching Credential, K-12;
3. KIN 320, 387, 388, 427, 489 A (6 units); EDSP 350; Select two courses from: EDP 405, EDSP 563; KIN 526, KIN 538, KIN 546, LING 151
For answers to questions regarding the Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential, contact Barry Lavay, Ph.D.


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Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr were both at the City Year Los Angeles Spring Break: Destination Education event the other day. It was the second weekend in row that they were together but not photographed side by side having also appeared at a Coachella party the week before. Click here to see those shots. So maybe they're back together? You don't care. I don't either, really; it was just a segue to post the trailer from the new Romeo & Juliet adaptation by Julian Fellowes. Many of you know Fellowes as the creator of Downton Abbey. But, really, his best work is Gosford Park. When was the last time you watched Gosford Park? I need to put that on my iPad for the plane.
Anyway, in Fellowes's version of Romeo & Juliet, my Shame F-ck Westwick plays Tybalt. Look at him as he delivers the line "Come settle with me, boy". I keep hearing, "Welcome to the OC, bitch". That was a different show, obviously, but not really, and the point is, am I crazy?, because I'm not feeling it.
Right from the top I'm not feeling how Stellan Skarsgard delivers the couplet. And why is Damian Lewis's wig so bad? The problem, of course, is that I can't help but compare it to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet which, to me anyway, rivals that of Zeffirelli's. Blasphemy?
What offended so many people about Luhrmann's take was the in-your-face pop artiness of his interpretation. But at the same time, couldn't you argue that he skillfully modernised a universal timeless story without compromising the language? The language is presented perfectly... as Leo runs around Venice Beach, gang fires burning on the ground, helicopters slicing the night sky, in Hawaiian print shirts and wide collars and silver mesh sweaters dropping iambic pentameter on a winged, fresh-faced Claire Danes...while a flame dancing Mercutio, aka Michael from Lost, gyrates on the mansion steps....
Come ON.
Fine. Maybe it's unfair to compare. Maybe a traditional, purist's version might be OK. Maybe Chuck Bass will be OK.


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On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Bud's Pal
He should be, but he's not. His brother, Bud, is turning seven all by himself.
I don't write very much about my son Pal, Bud's identical twin brother, even though he is never far from my thoughts. But he's been on my mind all day today, the day that should be his seventh birthday but is, instead, the seventh anniversary of his death.
I didn't know him long, but I miss him. And, in his memory - in his honor - I want to tell you a story.
For the first trimester of my pregnancy we believed that our twins were monoamniotic - that they shared a single amniotic sac - and were therefore at high risk of having their tangled umbilical cords cut off their blood supplies. At 16 weeks we were delighted to discover that they shared only a placenta, and each baby had his own amniotic sac.
At 20 weeks, we got the difficult news that Pal had spina bifida, the same condition that had taken our daughter from us a year earlier. But, we were told, his condition was mild and his prognosis was good. The pregnancy was high-risk, but it progressed well.
We were shocked, then, when I went into labor at 38 weeks and during the planned C-section our doctor discovered that Pal had died in utero. We thought we had heard his heartbeat only moments before.
We hadn't. The heartbeat we'd heard had been an echo of Bud's.
In the recovery room we got to spend some time with Pal, to meet him, and to say goodbye. A short time later, the perinatologist joined us to talk about our loss and to speculate about what had happened. In fact, he didn't know what had happened. Pal's death was inexplicable.
But the perinatologist did know this: Because our boys shared a placenta, if Pal had died sooner, before Bud was ready to be born, he would probably have taken Bud with him.
I will never know why Pal couldn't stay. But I do know that for nine months he stayed with Bud, snuggling around him, bouncing against him, helping him grow. And then, when Bud was ready, Pal left.
But he never really left. Not really.
That heartbeat we heard in the hospital, moments before Bud was born? The heartbeat that was an echo of Bud's?
I still hear it every time I put my head against Bud's chest.
23 comments:
- Daisy said...
Oh, my. Thank you for sharing this. What an amazing story. You are an amazing woman to cope with all you do.
- September 19, 2006 8:16 PM
You have written a beautiful tribute. What a heartwrenching experience to have to endure.
Enjoy some time listening to Bud's heart tonight...I think it has something special to say today.
- September 19, 2006 8:24 PM
- kristina said...
Your words bring to life---and keep alive---both beating hearts.
Happy Birthday to your boys, always.
- September 19, 2006 8:43 PM
- Susan Senator said...
I can really feel how special Pal was, and how Bud is, and also, how you are, as the Mom who nurtured them both. Such mixed emotions on this day. My heart goes out to all of you.
- September 19, 2006 9:12 PM
- Mamaroo said...
Thanks for telling us this beautiful story. Little Pal had waited just long enough to give you the greatest gift, Bud. You are such a wonderful Mom. Thinking of you in this time to celebrate, remember and always listening to that beautiful sound from Bud's chest.
- September 19, 2006 9:32 PM
- not my blg said...
Mom, thank you for sharing Pal with us. Pal's brief time with Bud surely had something to do with why Bud is such a wonderful human being.
- September 20, 2006 7:26 AM
- mumkeepingsane said...
Thank you so much for sharing this. Happy birthday to both your very special boys. What a bittersweet day this must be. I agree with spending some extra time listening to bud's heart today. My thoughts are with you.
- September 20, 2006 9:16 AM
- The 4 J's said...
What a life you have lead. I am so sorry for the loss but I feel as though he was meant to be with Bud and to help him come into this world. You are a strong woman and a caring mother. My heart goes out to you each and every day!
- September 20, 2006 10:41 AM
- Wendy said...
I met a woman yesterday whose son is autistic, born just a year after her twins died in birth. She wears heart lockets on a charm bracelet in memory of them every day. I can't fathom such pain. I'm sure Pal is reflected in Bud in some way - his smile, his laugh, his eyes. Happy Birthday to both of your boys.
- September 20, 2006 10:51 AM
Happy Birthday Bud and Pal! I think about Pal often. All my Love xoxox -ND
- September 20, 2006 1:08 PM
- MOM-NOS said...
ND - I think about baby M all the time, too. I imagine she and Pal were sharing cake yesterday. :)
- September 20, 2006 1:32 PM
Happy Birthday Bud! Happy Birthday to Pal who is surely Bud's guardian angel, looking out for him everyday through every minor stumble and every major victory.
My heart goes out to you for your loss. Thanks for helping me "appreciate." just a little more.
- September 20, 2006 2:03 PM
- KAL said...
You are an amazing woman. My heart aches for you more than I can possibly say. Happy Birthday to Bud. Bud's Pal is most assuredly looking over him. Hugs.
- September 20, 2006 3:19 PM
- Wade Rankin said...
Thank you so much for a reminder of how precious every life is.
- September 20, 2006 3:25 PM
- JenF said...
Thank you for sharing Pal with us. And for the reminder of how precious our little ones are, no matter what our circumstances.
Hugs to you today. Bud's a very special guy.
- September 20, 2006 7:29 PM
You always put into words what I cannot say. It's hard to find the balance between embracing life and holding on to those losses. I dunno, I had a hard time of accepting my/our losees. There seems to be no lesson to be learned except to enjoy life and to let those around you know how much they mean to you.
Happy birthday Bud and Pal!
- September 21, 2006 10:20 AM
- Kat said...
What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.
- September 21, 2006 1:42 PM
mom-nos, what a heartbreakingly beautiful post. i held my hand by my own heart the whole time i was reading it. pal's life was much much too short but oh so extraordinary. i am thinking of you today. happy birthday to both your sons.
- September 21, 2006 3:31 PM
- Alana said...
I didn't know pal long, but I too miss him...
A haunting and touching post...
Happy birthday to the beautiful Bud and Pal...
- September 22, 2006 2:09 AM
- mysamiam said...
Happy birthday to both. So touching. Your strength is amazing, your love is pure. I know this is a late comment, but am still thinking of you and praying. Agape.
- September 22, 2006 12:48 PM
- MothersVox said...
Wow, Mom-NOS, you are amazing and this post is exquisite. Thank you for telling this story and moving me out of my own quotidian misery to such transformative thinking. Much love to you and your trio of loves.
- September 22, 2006 10:34 PM
For all of his Life...I am sure Bud will never be alone.
Happy Birthday to all of you.
- September 23, 2006 4:27 PM
- Lynanne said...
What a beautiful post. Happy birthday to both your boys. A birthday is a birth-day just the same. My heart goes out to you on this bitter-sweet day. All the best!
- January 13, 2007 11:23 AM


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Kia Telluride Car Exhaust at Kia of Streetsboro near Northfield, OH 44067
Checking your vehicle's exhaust system is probably one of those things that people think the least about. That's why here at Kia of Streetsboro near Northfield, OH 44067, we provide service on your Kia Telluride car exhaust. Learn from the pros how your exhaust works and why it is important to get it checked.
Your exhaust system is not only important because without the proper maintenance your Kia Telluride can start blowing out black smoke – which is harmful for the environment –, but also because it can affect your fuel mileage and even your health and safety. Exhaust pipes can rust over time, start hanging lower than they should, or dragging on the road. Your exhaust system helps reduce engine noises, diverts combustion fumes from entering your vehicle, and keeps the cabin insulated from the heat expelled. Therefore, having holes in your exhaust can lead to reduced performance, heat coming in through the floor of your car, a noisier engine, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Several components comprise the entirety of the exhaust system, each with its own function. These sets of connected pipes run along the underside of your Kia Telluride, from the engine to the rear. The first segment, called the manifold, collects the exhaust gases expelled by the engine as a by-product of internal combustion. These travel to the next segment, known as the catalytic converter, which acts as a type of filter to reduce harmful elements contained in the emissions so that they are not liberated into the atmosphere. The gases will then pass through the muffler, which is designed to cancel out engine noise. And then, finally, the fumes will exit through the tail pipes.
At Kia of Streetsboro near Northfield, OH 44067, we have the parts and service and replace everything on your Kia Telluride car exhaust at Kia of Streetsboro near Northfield, OH 44067. Schedule a check-up at least once a year. An exhaust system is bound to wear out eventually, mainly due to corrosion. This occurs because water is also a natural by-product of combustion and, hence, it will condense within the system, causing eventual rust that will slowly perforate through. However, there are also a number of external reasons that may affect how fast your exhaust system deteriorates. Such causes may range from humid conditions, to rain and salt on the streets, to hitting a hole or bump on the road, which may cause the pipes to loosen, scrape, dent or, worst case scenario, break.
Come on over to Kia of Streetsboro near Northfield, OH 44067 for your Kia Telluride car exhaust service and replacement. Our trained, professional technicians will be more than happy to address your issues and help get your vehicle back into shape.


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Corel Rolls Out a Socially Polished PaintShop Pro X5
For socially oriented photo enthusiasts along with professional photographers and Web designers, Corel on Wednesday rolled out PaintShop Pro X5, a new edition of its digital imaging sofware. The latest release brings new features such as photo mapping, face recognition and vacation trip sharing, along with enhancements to special effects and social media connectivity.
X5 builds on the "strong base" established by PaintShop Pro X4, a major redesign revolving around separate workspaces for Adjust, Edit, and Manage, said Craig Copley, Corel's senior product manager, in a briefing for DigitalCameraReview.com.
"We're giving people a wider toolset to work with," according to Copley.
New features known as Places and Share My Trip are integrated with Google Maps, Copley said. If a photo already contains location information, you can instantly show it on a map through a function in Places called Map Mode. You can also add location info either by dragging and dropping a photo on to a map or by using GPS data or Facebook check-in points.
"If I want to search by location, I can accumulate all of my photos from Taiwan, for example, into a collection," he illustrated.
Share My Trip, on the other hand, allows you to place your vacation photos on an interactive map, which can then be shared either through a blog, by uploading directly to Facebook, or by sending links to friends through Dropbox. Friends are also able to view the route of the trip, and to zoom in on the surrounding area through Google Street View.
Also in the social networking arena, you can now upload photos simultaneously to your Facebook, Flickr and Google+ accounts. "[The software] tells me who is tagged, but I can remove that info if I want people in the photos to remain anonymous," Copley noted.
Another new feature, People, is designed to let you organize photos of people more easily. It uses face recognition to automatically build collections of people with similar facial features.
New Special Effects
Also new are Retro Lab, for applying effects inspired by vintage-style pocket cameras, and Graduated Filter, for adjusting the color, gradient style, opacity, blend and rotation of selected areas of a photo without affecting other portions of it.
In addition, to make it easier to apply special effects, Corel has added an Instant Effects palette which lets your choose quickly from descriptive thumbnails in categories such as Artistic, Retro, Traditional, Portrait, Film Styles, and Black and White.
For more advanced photographers, Corel has added a new feature called Single RAW Photo, aimed at letting you bring out more detail by splitting a single RAW photo into three exposures and then recombining the exposures to create an HDR (high dynamic range)-style effect.
Corel has also expanded the HDR functionality of the product with a new Preview Alignment option and improvements to Exposure Merge, Auto Brush, and Batch Merge, Copley said.
Available immediately as a download from Corel's Web site and through Corel resellers worldwide, PaintShop Pro X5 carries an MSRP of $79.99. Corel is also offering an Ultimate edition, priced at $99.99, which includes extras such as Nik-Color Efex Pro 3.0 photo filters and REALLUSION FaceFilter Studio 2.0 portrait enhancement tools. Alternatively, for $129, you can purchase Photo and Video Suite X5, a bundle combining the X5 editions of both PaintShop Pro and Corel's Video Studio Pro.


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Yellow Jeep Wrangler 2019 Price - A new turbodiesel engine option will join the Jeep Wrangler's engine lineup for the 2019 model year, as well as the V-6 and 2.0-liter turbo-four. What Is the 2019 Jeep Wrangler ? The Wrangler is Jeep's wildly popular 4×4.
It's available as a two-door or four-door SUV , the latter called the Wrangler Unlimited. Our report on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler , including the Sport , Sahara and Rubicon. We cover what's new for 2019, interior space and technology, performance, fuel economy and safety.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Changes
The newest technology Wrangler will not have a fresh design, but a level of new models. How? Nicely, there's we've noticed more than 50 prototypes above the season, which includes two- and several-gentle shirts and two- and several hardtops. Nevertheless, the range of styles will generally count on fairly much the same redesign changes. The human body will generally continue to help keep the unique boxy facial lines, whilst the front-end comes along with circular lamps of course.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Interior
Nonetheless, the entrance sports a relatively more dynamic styling with a relatively hood grille. The entrance fender is a lot more noticeable and thus could be the rear. Below the epidermis, the 2019 Wrangler will feature light supplies, which ought to enhance firmness as nicely. Inside of, the possible buyers could possibly get a more impressive array of convenience for certain. Away it is planning to make use of high quality components and new seating, the SUV will put Jeep's most recent systems, such as for example the most recent infotainment system.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Engine
The 2019 Wrangler hybrid and diesel will most likely make it happen at the 2018 Detroit auto show. This first appearance is likely to be quite interesting without any question mainly because hence the biggest enthusiasts may have a glance at what are the skills of the best longterm Wranglers. Diesel sensible, the renowned nameplate will undoubtedly count on a 3.-liter EcoDiesel V6. The alternative presently grows 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.
The newest reviews declare that the oils-chugging choice may possibly arrive around date , showcasing a whole lot more energy and torque, as nicely while the definitely better economy, but that's not verified however.
Are you aware that 2019 Jeep Wrangler Hybrid , it is probable to employ a new turbocharged I-4. A lot more accurately, the vitality will derive from a 2.0 I4 DOHC DI Turbo Engine w/ BSG, which can be gonna be along with a buckle-basic power generator. Exactly how we percieve it, that is some kind of gentle hybrid technology, although effective sufficient to complement the biggest competition.
The blend will supposedly provide about 290 horsepower , concurrently generating quick-on lower-conclusion torque. We have practically nothing concerning hybrid's fuel economy, but we assume it probably will overcome the diesel.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Price And Release Date
Within a 2016 event and meeting from the Detroit News during the Detroit Auto Show, Jeep Boss Mike Manley mentioned these Wrangler pickup truck seems at the conclusion of 2017, after the introduction for this next-generation JL Wrangler Jeep.
Sorry to say, Jeep has as a result of postponed pickup manufacturing until past due 2019, mostly a few years adhering to a next-generation Wrangler is ready to reach. We ought to understand the Wrangler first appearance with Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) type after around 2017.
However, Jeep hasn't already published the pickup truck can make the introduction. Just how much will this Jeep Wrangler Pickup cost us? Maybe its price could possibly be about to hover near $30,000 which may lead it to considerably higher priced rather than opposition its 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup Truck.


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Departed CNN newsman Lou Dobbs made it relatively clear that he does NOT think President Obama is the devil.
The revelation came in an interview with Fox gab king Bill O'Reilly, who failed to trip up Dobbs with the tricky question about President Obama possibly being the anti-Christ Monday night.
After sandbagging Dobbs with softball questions, O'Reilly zeroed in at the end of his interview on "The O'Reilly Factor" Monday night. "Final question: Barack Obama, is he the devil?" he asked.
U.S. & World
"He's not the devil," Dobbs replied thoughtfully, "but he is certainly a man who is right now not making it easy to understand why he's making the public-policy choices that he is."
Earlier in the segment, Dobbs responded to more reasonable questions, telling O'Reilly he was pushed out at CNN after 32 years because the network didn't want to offend Obama. In the last few years, Dobbs increasingly shifted from down-the-middle news anchor to strident critic of illegal immigration. Although the change began during President Bush's presidency, Dobbs said his former bosses didn't seem to mind then.
"I discern more of a difference between then, which was under the Bush administration when I was criticizing, and now, when it is the Obama administration -- and an entirely different tone was taken," said Dobbs.
The New York Post reported that CNN gave Dobbs an $8 million severance package. There has been speculation that Dobbs' newfound rightward tilt could lead him to join Fox's stable of television hosts, but he also didn't dismiss O'Reilly's question about running for political office.
"A lot of things are on my mind, I'm not going to be coy about that," Dobbs said.
"My wife and I are thinking about a lot of opportunities. I'm very blessed that I have a lot of opportunities. I guarantee you 100 percent I'm going to remain in the public arena."
Get more: The New York Post


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Per Caps PR:
ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed center Brooks Laich to a six-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are very pleased to have Brooks Laich continue his career as a Washington Capital," said McPhee. "Brooks has excelled as one of the League's finer two-way players and is just entering his prime. His combination of size, speed, versatility and leadership makes him a valuable part of our club."
Laich, 28, finished fourth on the Capitals in points (48), fifth in goals (16) and third in assists (32) while posting a plus-14 plus/minus rating and collecting 46 penalty minutes. For the third time in his career, he played in all 82 of Washington's regular-season games and finished second on the Caps with 207 shots on goal. In addition, Laich closed out the 2010-11 campaign fifth on the team in hits (113) and won 51.3 percent of his faceoffs. He scored his 100th career NHL goal on Mar. 15 at Montreal and finished second on the team in points during the playoffs (7) while leading the Caps with six postseason assists in nine games. Laich also finished first amongst Capitals forwards in average shorthanded ice time per game (2:18) and was instrumental in leading the Caps penalty kill unit that ranked second in the NHL during the regular season.
"I'm thrilled to make the commitment to remain a Capital," said Laich. "It is a wonderful organization with terrific fans and I'm very happy to continue to call Washington home for many years to come."
The 6'2", 215-pound center set career-highs in goals (25), assists (34) and points (59) during the 2009-10 season and scored 20 or more goals in three straight seasons from 2007-2010. In 475 career regular-season games, Laich has recorded 237 points (100 goals, 137 assists) and is a plus-14. In 37 career playoff games, he has tallied seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points.
The Wawota, Saskatchewan, native is second among active Capitals players in franchise games played (474), fifth in points (237), third in goals (100) and fifth in assists (137). Laich is 15th amongst his 2001 draft class in points but is one of only three players in the top 15 to be drafted later than the third round.
Laich was a sixth-round draft pick (193rd overall) by Ottawa in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired from Ottawa along with the Senators' second-round draft pick in 2005 (traded to Colorado) and future considerations for Peter Bondra on Feb. 18, 2004.


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Latest News
King Arms FAL Short & Long Version Coming Soon (2006-09-11)Coming soon to Redwolf, are two new guns from King Arms - the FAL, Long, and Short series. Each are characterised with nice touches, such as the addition of the metal parts for a realistic feel. The real steel cocking lever, metal receiver and steel carry handle (on the long version) are welcome additions to this sleek-looking pair. Both feature a semi-auto/full-auto system, with a fully adjustable hop-up system and adjustable rear-sight.
These two products are bound to be big hits this Fall, so keep those eyes peeled for the best deal at Redwolf!